About the Cover

from Limitless Magazine February 2021

Be Bold

Selfless Care Volunteers at HealthReach Community Clinic go above and beyond

BY: » Renee Roberson PHOTOS COURTESY OF : » HealthReach Community Clinic

As the only free medical clinic in Iredell County, HealthReach Community Clinic in Mooresville relies heavily on the services of specialty care providers who can provide referred patients with free or low-cost care. Those volunteers are so dedicated to helping others that they are consistently recognized for their service at the statewide and local level.

This past year, longtime volunteers Dr. Richard Kerecman, a family medicine specialist and Cheryl Bernhardt, RN, were the co-recipients of the 2020 Jay Lewis Award, named for the clinic’s founder, which recognizes extraordinary volunteer service at HealthReach. The two providers have worked with the clinic for more than 10 years, often serving patients together as a doctor/ nurse team. The two have also earned the distinction of more than 50 years of experience in their respective fields.

Bernhardt says she was blessed to be

Left: Dr. Richard Kerecman and Cheryl Bernhardt, RN Right: Jennifer Al-Hussaini, Frankie Sue Coleman, Claudia Moody, Molly Muesburger, Sophia Pine, Cheryl Bernhardt and Sharon Hemric.

able to retire at a rather early age with 36 years of federal service including active duty Air Force.

“I had always planned to volunteer in some capacity using my RN skills,” she says. “I learned about HealthReach through information shared at my church and I made the call.” An average shift at the clinic involves multiple tasks including patient intake for the provider, returning phone calls to patients regarding questions or test results, occasional lab blood draws, consultation with other staff and outside specialists/ providers, and assisting other staff with computer issues.

Bernhardt was also among the “Super Seven,” a group of volunteer nurses who received the 2020 Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. Bernhardt, Claudia Moody, Molly Meusburger, Sharon Hemric, Sophia Pine, Frankie Sue Coleman and Jennifer Al-Hussaini were instrumental in the more than 4,000 medical appointments provided in 2019. The award recognizes the top 20-25 volunteers in the state each year.

The clinic, which has operated in Mooresville for more than 17 years, offers care to residents of Iredell County between the ages of 18 and 65 years old, with a combined household income falling below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Available services include primary care and some specialty care, such as chiropractic and lab services. The clinic also operates a pharmacy for patients.

HealthReach Community Clinic is always looking for volunteer specialty care providers. COVID-19 restrictions have limited the clinic's in-person volunteering, but they always appreciate help spreading awareness of services, as well as fundraising and supply drives. Contact Dr. Niggel at SabrinaN@healthreachclinic.org or 704.663.1992, ext. 5 to learn more about how you can help keep the community healthy.